The criminal element of Principalia

Author's note: This thread is going to have stronger themes of ****. Please remember this is a work of fiction. Reader discretion advised.

There are a few certanties in life. ****, taxes, and crime. Even an apparently perfect country like Principalia had a criminal underworld. Given the country's laws on slavery, this underworld was particularly unsavory. Ellie had a lead on a ring that captured women and collared them outside the normal contract laws, selling them into seemingly legal contracts for massive profits. If this was true, it would give Ellie the story on the dangers and immortality of Principalia's slavery program she was looking for.

She got out of her cab and walked towards the restaurant where she had arranged to meet her source for this story. Her source, a Principalia man in his 40s, was a local reporter. She found him in a booth. He was handsome despite the fact he was significantly older than Ellie, the flecks of grey that lined his short haircut and well trimmed beard gave him a distinguished air.

"Ellie Rosedale," she said with a smile, extending her hand.

"Marco LeClerc" replied the man, with a faint Mediterranean accent as he took her hand and shook it.

"I have two questions. The first is, what are we investigating?" Ellie flipped open her notebook. A waitress came by with coffee.

"I have reason to believe a **** club in downtown Principalia is trafficking girls from outside the country. Their number of foreign workers is far greater than their competitors, but these women don't have clear lives in the country like most immigrants. I intend to get inside and see what I can find."

"Why do you need me?"

"To be frank, Ms. Rossdale, I could publish thousands of articles on human trafficking and everyone would be too busy fucking slaves to care. But if the international press pick up the story..."

"It creates political pressure. Got it. I'm in."

"Glad to hear it, there is one problem: The only women allowed in the club are slavegirls." Reacting to Ellie's visible disgust he quickly continued, "but remember if I pose as your owner I make the rules. No bullshit. You wear clothes, you have your dignity, its just an act."

Ellie thought about it a moment. Marco seemed trustworthy, and this story had career defining potential.

"Fine, but no bullshit."